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#458755 - 05/18/08 10:17 AM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: tony barnhill]
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Jedi Warrior
Registered: 12/08/06
Posts: 470
Loc: Hudsonville, Michigan, USA
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More questions: At what point did the gearboxes get synchros for first? Which year did they transition to negative earth? Will likely wish to add seatbelts as those recently proved valuable in keeping me alive. Will eventually need help there no doubt. Still no word on the current powerplant/tranny. I'm secretly hoping she's got a 1275 but I'll take whatever's there! Memorial Day I'll go see it and hopefully return with it. Thanks again! Jeff
_________________________
1963 Midget 1098cg Tartan Red, wire wheels
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#458765 - 05/18/08 10:57 AM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: jvandyke]
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Gold Member
Yoda
Registered: 11/02/03
Posts: 4758
Loc: Louisville KY
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Sycro's where not on first gear until they switched to the spitfire drive train in '75. Non syncro 1st is no big deal. You only need first when you come to a dead stop.
_________________________
1970/2 MG Midget Future Engine Swap Project _________________ 1958/9 Sprite AN5L/1499 1275 SuperCharged Datsun 5-speed _________________ Great car show: http://www.britishbash.com
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#460122 - 05/22/08 03:55 PM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: Trevor Jessie]
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Jedi Warrior
Registered: 12/08/06
Posts: 470
Loc: Hudsonville, Michigan, USA
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VIN is GAN2L19251, not sure what's up with the L. Puts it at a fairly early '63 I guess, 3076th of the 9108 '63s. Still a bit hung up on the "drivability" of a car with no roll up windows, no attached top and no locks. Not sure how big a deal those will be to me.
_________________________
1963 Midget 1098cg Tartan Red, wire wheels
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#460125 - 05/22/08 04:06 PM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: jvandyke]
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Gold Member
Yoda
Registered: 11/02/03
Posts: 4758
Loc: Louisville KY
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They look cool. Forget about practicality!
_________________________
1970/2 MG Midget Future Engine Swap Project _________________ 1958/9 Sprite AN5L/1499 1275 SuperCharged Datsun 5-speed _________________ Great car show: http://www.britishbash.com
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#460142 - 05/22/08 05:03 PM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: jvandyke]
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Jedi Knight
Registered: 02/14/06
Posts: 1388
Loc: NW Arkansas, USA
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Still a bit hung up on the "drivability" of a car with no roll up windows, no attached top and no locks. Not sure how big a deal those will be to me.
think of it as a motorcycle u can sit in  .....z
_________________________
1974 MG Midget- www.zimmyjim.com come check out my music and car pics!....; )
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#460151 - 05/22/08 05:48 PM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: Trevor Jessie]
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Jedi Warrior
Registered: 12/08/06
Posts: 470
Loc: Hudsonville, Michigan, USA
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Good advice of course. I was thinking of relative practicality vs. a MKII. They do look cool with no top at all and stripped of the door handles, quarter windows, head rests......feeling better already.
_________________________
1963 Midget 1098cg Tartan Red, wire wheels
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#460161 - 05/22/08 06:18 PM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: RickB]
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Bronze Member
Jedi Warrior
Registered: 06/27/07
Posts: 564
Loc: Nebraska, USA
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Jeff, the 10CC or 10CG are the first digits of numbers that should be on the engine, but I don't remember where.
Two things to note, I and a freind who has more experience with Spridgets than I were talking about the early 1098s, we had both heard the rumor that they are weak in the crank/main bearing department, but we have never had or directly known of one that has failed--if you want to drive it moderately it should be fine, if you want to go fast you should put a 1275cc engine in it any way.
Second, lots and lots of these cars have had engine swaps, when they were used cars people ran them on the cheap and tended to pick up used parts to bolt on when things went wrong, because there were usually plenty around in various states of disrepair to cannabalize.
So determining the exact year won't necessarily determine what motor you have. As mentioned, best is the check the engine serial number, someone here should be able to tell you where it is.
_________________________
Current-- 1979 MGB LE 1968 Triumph TR250
Wish I still had-- 1954 AH 100 1966 TR4A Solid Axle 1967 AH SPrite 1967 MGB GT
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#460183 - 05/22/08 08:10 PM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: jvandyke]
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Gold Member
Yoda
Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 4405
Loc: Utah, USA
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VIN is GAN2L19251, not sure what's up with the L. The "L" is for Left hand drive. I prefer the side screen cars -- a bit more room in the cockpit, and the lack of outside door handles just looks cool. Door locks don't mean much on a convertible anyway, since someone can just cut the top (or take the top off) to get in.
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#460249 - 05/23/08 12:38 AM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: drooartz]
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Silver Member
Yoda
Registered: 11/15/03
Posts: 7135
Loc: S.E. Fla.
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The engine # can be found on a plate on the right hand side of the block up near the generator/alternator. To newbies contemplating getting into Spridgets, I would suggest calling Victoria British and/or Moss Motors and requesting one of their catalogues (free!). They are really quite helpful in both getting to know what goes into these cars and in addition contain much helpful info on locating/deciphering ID # and the like!!! 
Edited by bugimike (05/23/08 12:39 AM)
_________________________
Mike
59 Bugeye "Ol' Bug-I" 69 Sprite "Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." Will Rogers
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#460259 - 05/23/08 05:50 AM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: bugimike]
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Jedi Warrior
Registered: 12/08/06
Posts: 470
Loc: Hudsonville, Michigan, USA
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Just got a Moss catalog yesterday, as well as two book from the library on MG history. Nice legacy.
_________________________
1963 Midget 1098cg Tartan Red, wire wheels
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#460704 - 05/24/08 04:36 PM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: slickwillie2]
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Jedi Warrior
Registered: 12/08/06
Posts: 470
Loc: Hudsonville, Michigan, USA
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Sounds good. I rode motorcycles for 17 years or so before the Opel GT and now......well, something. Hoping it's a nice one. I got insurance on it and money in hand so if it's decent, I'm driving it home. Will know in 36 hours.
_________________________
1963 Midget 1098cg Tartan Red, wire wheels
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#461223 - 05/26/08 03:41 PM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: jvandyke]
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Jedi Warrior
Registered: 12/08/06
Posts: 470
Loc: Hudsonville, Michigan, USA
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I bought it. Still not convinced I should have. I had the wife and boys along and they loved it. I liked it. Drove it around his neighborhood several times, all seemed well. Bought it. Took off, got about 15 miles away and 4th gear disappeared. It popped out, I put it back, it popped out, I put it back, it popped out I tried to hold it in but there was nothing there. Weird no? Or is that how it "goes"? I got off the highway and drove it the rest of the 70 or so miles in third. Now it goes down the road great. Not sure I like the "custom" dash. Lights didn't work (running/brake). Blinkers operate off on interior lever, not on the stalk. Electric fuel pump. Top is decent. Tonnoue is a bit torn at the corners. Anyway, I like it, just feeling a bit bummed by the transmission issues.
_________________________
1963 Midget 1098cg Tartan Red, wire wheels
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#461253 - 05/26/08 04:59 PM
Re: '63 Midget research
[Re: jvandyke]
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Gold Member
Yoda
Registered: 11/02/03
Posts: 4758
Loc: Louisville KY
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SOunds like the tranny is going to need some attention. Where did you say you are located? Someone might know of a good second hand tranny near you.
You might want to go ahead and source a dash and address your wiring issues at that point.
_________________________
1970/2 MG Midget Future Engine Swap Project _________________ 1958/9 Sprite AN5L/1499 1275 SuperCharged Datsun 5-speed _________________ Great car show: http://www.britishbash.com
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